simon1964

[quote name='pal1972' post='549582' date='Jul 24 2009, 12:06 AM']its not a great pic but heres my '92 fortress one along side my 24fret jazz, and infront of my new rig!!! [attachment=29481:Image133.jpg][/quote] I do love the look of the Fortress - very nice!

[quote name='Eight' post='549496' date='Jul 23 2009, 10:46 PM']Does it help to stare at them, or is that just going to freak the guy out?[/quote] I've no idea whether it freaks him out, but I watch our drummer a lot. I've played with him in two or three bands over a lot of years, and I like to think we form a really tight unit. Neither of us would pretend to be techncially the best in the world, but I feel like we lock in together really well - and a lot of that is down to watching, especially his right footing hitting the bass drum pedal. You need to listen too of course! Edit - just read the rest of this thread and its interesting to see how many others watch the drummer's right foot!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='550466' date='Jul 24 2009, 06:22 PM']They're not exactly a new shop - it's a second premises for Guitar Base. Personally I hope they do well. Their stock is way more exciting than either the Drum and Guitar Centre or the offshoot of Millennium Music that's in the old Sound Control shop.[/quote] Ah - didn't realise that. Definately agree on the quality of their stock, and they seem pretty helpful. The old Sound Control, on the other hand, is even worse than it used to be!

Very nice. There is a real love/hate thing about Warwicks, particularly Thumbs, but you simply cannot beat them for tone. More than makes up for the weight and balance issues. Enjoy

[quote name='BigRedX' post='550455' date='Jul 24 2009, 06:05 PM']Fuzz in Nottingham had a Jetglo and a Mapleglo Ric 4001 last time I looked. Of course both were the full new list price...[/quote] Both in good condition too. They do have some very nice, top end stock in there, especially for a new store, but I do worry about how much they'll sell in the current climate.

[quote name='alanbass1' post='549722' date='Jul 24 2009, 08:18 AM']Whatever anyone says they are unique basses and they have retained a consistently high build quality throughout - you don't hear about the 'golden years of Rickencaker' as you do other mainstream brands. They keep manufacturing in the US and the output to a level where they can maintain this consistency. Hats off to them for that and are they that expensive when you compare to other similar volume of manufacturing passive basses, e.g. Fender Custom Shop? I got a 4003 from Peter Cookes this year, I rarely play it but it's a great bass![/quote] Don't get me wrong - I'm not criticising Rickenbacker for their strategy, and I love their basses. In fact I bought one last month! You can get reasonable deals on ebay. I paid £1000 for a mint 2004 which doesn't seem bad compared to new prices.

[quote name='Machines' post='549707' date='Jul 24 2009, 07:53 AM']Exclusivity or some crap. Rickenbacker have utterly failed to understand the principles of supply and demand.[/quote] Although the reason that an old fashioned passive bass, with a limited range of tones, sells for £1800 or so new is because they are so rare. Rickenbacker have never gone down the OLP/Squier/Epiphone route, and their marketing strategy has created an exclusivity to their brand which allows them to charge a very large premium. Good luck to them I guess!

[quote name='Bassassin' post='547895' date='Jul 22 2009, 05:51 PM']I suspect there are people 3 times your age crying as they listen. No, I [i]know[/i] it. Jon.[/quote] +1! Fantastic playing. Great tone you've got there too - very impressive!

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='547404' date='Jul 22 2009, 10:56 AM']We play it ok other than the intro. we had to simplify that bit and now drums start with guitar.[/quote] Yes - we've had to do the same. Our normally excellent drummer just couldn't get his head around it otherwise!

A few popular ones from our setlist that might fit: Bloc Party – Banquet Feeder – Buck Rogers Foo Fighters – The Last Song Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly Green Day – Basket Case, Jet – Are you gonna be My Girl? Kaisers – I predict a riot Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire Kings of Leon – Use Somebody Muse – Plug in Baby Nirvana – Teen Spirit Oasis – Cigarettes and Alcohol Primal Scream – Rocks RHCP - Dani California Stereophonics – Local Boy in the Photograph Stone Roses – She Bangs the Drum The Automatic – Monster The Cult – She Sells Sanctuary The Killers – Somebody Told Me, The Killers - Mr Brightside U2 - Vertigo

Another option for Japanese Fenders is the Stratosphere ebay shop. He actually sells parts, but you can often pickup up Jap loaded bodies and necks on there and bolt the two together! I've bought from him in the past and delivery is pretty quick. The prices used to be very good, but with the pound weaker against the dollar, they're admittedly a bit less competitive now.

Thanks for all the comments! If I hadn't already got a Ray, I might be tempted by a trade for that Sabre!

[quote name='Beedster' post='545845' date='Jul 20 2009, 10:53 PM']What it says above really, I know a few folks on here have mentioned a guy who imports (or possibly exports) to the UK. Anypone got details? Cheers Chris[/quote] Guitar Emporium?: [url="http://www.guitaremporium.co.uk/"]http://www.guitaremporium.co.uk/[/url]

[quote name='Spartacus' post='544272' date='Jul 18 2009, 08:00 PM']PMd[/quote] And replied

[quote name='BassKS' post='536283' date='Jul 9 2009, 11:01 AM']Simon, let us know how youre Ray is working out. Higgie, thanks for the Nordy certification. I think I will get one once I can afford them.[/quote] The John East is now fitted and its a really great bit of kit. It keeps all of the Stingray tone, but really adds a bit in the low mids. Highly recommended. The Nordstrand didn't actually seem to add much. It does have a bit more kick in the bottom end, but as the john East is so versatile, I decided on balance to leave the Stock pickup in. So I've actually got a spare Nordstrand if anyone's after one? Virtually new as it was only in my 'ray for one day!

I'll have to do this course myself sometime. I'm really looking forward to seeing the progress reports on this - make sure you post some progress pics! I'm up at Jon's tomorrow (he's been doing some work on my Stingray), so I'll mention the Basschat anticipation for this build

The old Sound Control in Leeds (its either PMT or Reverb now, can't remember which) is OK, but not a huge range of bass stock. Music Ground in Leeds can have some interesting vintage stuuf - at a price! The best bet by far in Yorkshire is Electro music in Doncaster. Fantastic range of basses - when I was last there the stock included Fender, Musicman, Warwick, Sandberg, Yamaha, and Ibanez plus some nice used gear. And a good range of amps as well. To top it all the staff are helpful, and actually let you play stuff!. Well worth a detour on your way up there.

[quote name='budget bassist' post='522027' date='Jun 23 2009, 08:31 PM'][u]If[/u] i decide to move it on You can certainly have first refusal though! lets see some pics of your thumb [/quote] Well - as you ask: [attachment=29119:guitars_010.JPG] Bog standard Bolt on thumb, but the tone is simply the best of any of my basses (although its probably a tie with the Shuker!). I love the neck too. At least two Basschatters have owned this before me, and both didn't like the balance. Personally, I've never had a problem and find it fine. The only downside is that it seems to weigh about the same as the rest of my basses put together!

[quote name='budget bassist' post='539856' date='Jul 13 2009, 10:57 PM']ah ok, what's this flash bounce you speak of? and i don't know what your missus might say with semi-nude ladies posing with your basses, i wouldn't imagine it would end well [/quote] Thanks for all the comments! I'm really enjoying playing something that's so different from all my other basses. It sounds fantastic with a pick, but I'm still trying to work out the best way to play fingerstyle, even with the pickup cover removed! All good fun Sam - bounce flash involves using a flash gun with a head that swivels and rotates. So rather than the flash being aimed directly at the bass, you "bounce" the lgiht off a ceiling or wall. It gives a much softer and natural looking light without having to set up lots of lighting off camera.

[quote name='STINGRAYSEAN' post='542760' date='Jul 16 2009, 11:30 PM']Hi,young bassist 8 years old in Derbyshire,seeks young band,other young muscians to play/practise with,commited and enthusiastic,to joining forming band[/quote] I'm not sure whereabouts in Derbyshire you are, but you might want to call Instrutech in Mansfield. Their core business is teaching (guitar, bass, drums) but they run gigs for young bands several times a year, including groups put together from amongst their pupils. Excellent way for youngsters to get used to playing with other musicians live. They're rock focused (the guys who run it are all in bands themselves). No connection to me, save that two of my sons are pupils, and that's how they got into their bands.

Play naked?! A good tip I've heard is to put a sweatband/wristband around your belt buckle. Cheap and effective. And in my case, much less alarming for the audience than my first suggestion.

Very nice - the Dearmond looks fantastic. Aren't things a bit floppy with DGFC tuning on shortscale?!

+1 for the Lomenzo hyperdrive. Very versatile, and will give you everything from a bit of grit to full on fuzz. Its much more versatile than the Standard Ashdown overdrive. You chose the frequency which is distorted with the frequency and blend controls - so you can distort the highs or mids, but leave the bottom end untouched. Excellent bit of kit.